Upper Mount Bethel barn fire kills 28 goats

Firefighters responded to the blaze at Rudolph Farms in the 1300 block of Shady Lane about 3 a.m., but the barn was a total loss, owner Isabel Rudolph said.

"It was completely destroyed — razed to the ground — with all the animals in it," Rudolph said.

Rudolph said she woke to hear her dog barking and got out of bed because it was unusual.

"I looked out and the whole back hill was red," she said.

Rudolph said her son was raising the goats to sell as meat. After three years, Eric Rudolph was looking forward to making a profit from the endeavor he undertook after suffering a back injury that kept him from working, his mother said.

Isabel Rudolph said it's not clear how the fire started, but she said the building had heating lamps to keep newborn goats warm in the freezing weather.

Mount Bethel Fire Department officials are investigating, but could not be immediately reached for information.